Archives for April 2016

If you are seriously considering buying a new home in Los Angeles this year, you understandably want to get the best deal for your money. It’s something that requires taking the right steps in the right direction, and making informed decisions.

To help you find the best deals as soon as possible, I’ve put together a list of useful yet often overlooked Los Angeles real estate tips.

So let’s get started!

Pay Attention to Details

Price, size, the condition of the house. These are primary considerations, but other aspects are just as important. You are not just buying a house. You are making a lifestyle change, and you need to make sure it’s the right one.

Your home should support and enhance your living expectations. For instance, if you like having friends over and entertaining guests, you ought to look for a house with a big dining room. If you enjoy privacy, you will appreciate a property surrounded by tall plants and trees.

Your home should be your castle. A place where you can relax and recharge. By paying attention to details, you will be able to pick a home that meets your requirements and needs 100%.

Make Sure the Neighborhood Is Right for You

”Location, location, location”. It’s one of the most well-known sayings when it comes to Los Angeles real estate, and there is a valid reason why people put so much emphasis on it.

Location not only affects the resale value of your property, but it also has a significant impact on the quality of life. My advice is to take some time to research the nearby schools, and even talk to some of the neighbors before committing to anything.

A great tip is to drive around the neighborhood during different times of the day and night. It will help you get a better sense of the community, the surroundings, and how it would be like to live there. Be on the lookout for things like:

Street lights

Traffic

Sounds coming from nearby businesses

Experience in the real estate industry has taught me that all buyers are different and thus have different needs.

Be Aware of Hidden Costs

If you don’t have experience with real estate, you’ll encounter difficulties. The language and documentation associated with the buying process can be too complex.

However, A professional, trustworthy realtor can help you understand what fees are justifiable. They will also alert you about additional costs that might arise, like inspection costs.

One more Thing about Los Angeles Real Estate

It’s vital to work with a skilled professional realtor who can adequately represent your interests. Otherwise, you risk ending up with an overpriced house you don’t like.

Someone who knows the ins and outs when it comes to Los Angeles real estate can help you get the best value for your money and offer insightful advice. Time is of the essence on this market, so it’s best to start your search now!

Getting a new place and moving to a new Los Angeles house is seriously exciting!

Well, the only thing that might lessen your excitement right now is the thought of having to pack up your whole life into boxes. Not to mention making sure they arrive safely at the destination.

And who can blame you? Everybody who went through this knows that moving can be a stressful and frustrating experience.

But it’s in your power to make the whole process a lot easier. Here are some tips that will help you get your things and life organized for a successful move. Who knows, you might have some fun while you’re at it.

1. Use Clear, Plastic Bins

Once you and all your possessions arrive at your new Los Angeles house, it’s going to be chaotic. There will be boxes everywhere, and you will most likely struggle to find the essentials.

To avoid this problem, consider putting the things you will need first in a clear, plastic bin. This way, you will be able to find them a lot easier and avoid a nervous breakdown.

2. Use Color Coding

Pick a color for each room of your new home, and then label the boxes accordingly. Let’s say you choose blue for the bathroom. All the boxes that have a blue label on them will go straight to the bathroom after they get unloaded. Colored stickers are perfect for the job.

It would be a shame to get to your Los Angeles house, unpack, and discover that all the boxes with kitchen utensils are upstairs in the children’s room. Don’t you agree?

3. Label the Sides of the Boxes

Not the tops.

It’s important to do this to be able to read the labels on your boxes, even if they are stacked. It might not seem like a big deal, but paying attention to small details like this can save you a lot of time and effort.

4. Choose the Right Size Boxes

Remember this as a general rule: Light items go in large boxes, and heavy things belong in small boxes. So you shouldn’t put pillows and books, for instance, together in the same container.

Keep in mind that big boxes filled with heavy items are not only extremely hard to lift and carry, but they also tend to break a lot easier. It’s one of the main complaints of professional movers.

5. Be Aware of Items that Need Special Treatment

If you plan on moving valuable art and other fragile items, it’s best to consider specialized crates.

Your moving company can help you choose the best storage solutions for your most dainty possessions. This way, you won’t have to worry about damaging them on the way to your Los Angeles house.

Let’s Talk Some More about You Moving into a New Los Angeles House

All these tips will help you save a lot of time and will allow you to enjoy your first night in your new home. If you are still looking for that perfect home in Los Angeles or need to find the right buyer, I can help you out.

Whether you plan to sell your house in Los Angeles now or in the future, one thing is clear: Increasing the value of your home is a profitable venture.

The problem is that it’s not something you can achieve overnight. And coming up with ideas is no walk in the park.

Well, this doesn’t have to be a difficult task if you have someone knowledgeable helping you out. That’s why I decided to do just that.

Here are my top three recommendations on what you can do to increase the resale value of your house in Los Angeles:

1. Try to Open up as Much Space as You Can

Luckily, this isn’t something you must do ahead of time. You can worry about this later if you only plan on selling your home in the future.

Otherwise, you need to start thinking about how to create more space inside your house. In my opinion, it’s not something you can overlook, as most home buyers nowadays are looking for spacious properties.

A good starting point would be the kitchen area. Most homes in Los Angeles have the kitchen island design. I’m not saying it’s a bad one, but it does tend to take up space.

For the cost of just a couple of hundred dollars, you can restore the kitchen area to its original, more open design.

Alternatively, you can also get rid of a non-structural wall. Sure, it seems messy, but the new openness your house in Los Angeles will benefit from will be worth it.

2. More Natural Light Can Do Wonders for Your House in Los Angeles

What better way to complement the new open space than with natural light? That’s a combination that is bound to get the attention of home buyers.

Natural light just makes your house in Los Angeles have a more appealing nature. Plus, potential home buyers will love that they will get to save money on energy bills during the day.

The best way to get more natural light inside your home is with bay windows and skylights. However, that can be a costly investment. Plus, not all home buyers like their aesthetic.

The good news is that there are better options on the market. I would personally recommend investing in sun tubes.

If you don’t know what they are, just think of them as tubular skylights that funnel natural light through a ceiling fixture into your home.

They do an excellent job, they are not intrusive, and they are easy to install. Also, let’s not forget about that resale value boost your house in Los Angeles will get.

3. Never Postpone Maintenance

It’s never a good idea. It doesn’t matter if you want to sell now, or wait some time. Postponing repairs or necessary maintenance will only allow minor issues to become serious problems.

Not only will that scare away potential buyers, but it will also get expensive. After all, you will eventually have to fix those problems even if you don’t end up selling the property.

If you’re looking for more advice, I can help you

I’ve helped many homeowners sell their houses for a satisfactory amount of money every time, and I want to do the same for you.

I’ll provide you with a home audit that will help you get a feel of the market. This way, you’ll be able to know the exact price to ask for, and what competition you’ll be up against.